In a move that was long overdue in my opinion, Joe Nathan has officially been named the Twins closer. Matt Capps will be pushed back to a set-up role where he can hopefully be more effective than his most recent outings (7 ER and 2 blown saves in 5.2 IP this month). Capps had been booed mercilessly by the hometown fans whose “Minnesota nice” had eventually worn out due to Capps’ repeated shakiness in the ninth.

4 time All-Star Joe Nathan is back in his rightful role with the Twins

Joe Nathan has pitched very well since his return from the DL and his last seven appearances have been scoreless, giving up just two hits to go along with seven strikeouts. Nathan’s velocity has steadily increased from the high 80′s at the start of the reason to the low 90′s recently. His breaking stuff has looked much sharper which has led to to more strikeouts.

This move makes the need to acquire a reliever even more pressing because Glen Perkins emerges as the only reliable set-up man until Capps can prove himself again. Hopefully Nathan can reestablish himself as the closer for the rest of the season and Twins fans will not have to suffer through heartbreaking 9th inning losses like last night when Capps served up a 2-run homer to Eric Hosmer in the 9th.

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Written by Jonathan Fawkes
I was born and raised in Brooklyn but I'm a long suffering Minnesota sports fan (Twins, T'Wolves, Vikings). Looking forward to Teddy Bridgewater, Byron Buxton and Andrew Wiggins bringing a winning culture to Minnesota. Thanks for reading!